LOWELL, Mass. -- UMass Lowell Hockey Head Coach Norm Bazin announced the hiring of alum Ryan Blair as the River Hawks' Director of Hockey Operations. 

His main responsibilities include coordinating team travel, as well as academics, some video and various administrative responsibilities.

"Ryan displayed an eagerness and excitement for the position that was evident throughout the interview process," said Bazin. "As a hockey alum, he knows the commitment and dedication needed to be a successful athlete at UMass Lowell.  He will be able to rely on past experiences to mentor our young men and we're looking forward to adding such a quality person to our staff."      

Blair. a native of Toronto, Ontario, worked with the Boston Jr. Rangers for the last three years as the Head Coach of their Eastern Hockey League Premier team and Assistant Coach of their Eastern Hockey League team. Blair owned a record of 90-25-11 in three years coaching the EHLP team. He won EHL Premier Coach of the Year honors in 2017-18 and he helped the Jr. Rangers to a playoff championship in 2016 and 2018, as well as a regular-season championship in 2018.

"It is an honor to be back at UMass Lowell and something I take great pride in being a part of," said Blair. "I want to thank Norm and his staff for giving me the opportunity to return to my alma mater and work with the hockey team. The culture and environment at UMass Lowell is something I am very excited to be apart of. I look forward to working with the players and staff this season."

Blair, known as a stay-at-home defenseman, played in 141 games during his four-year career for UMass Lowell.  He was the tallest player (6'4") on the River Hawk roster and an imposing figure at the blue line and in clearing the front of the net.  Blair accumulated 36 points (3g,33a) in a River Hawk uniform, but is best remembered for his goal late in the second period in the 2009 Hockey East Tournament semi-final against Northeastern.  The goal, cutting Northeastern's 2-0 lead in half, ignited a comeback as UMass Lowell moved to the Hockey East Championship game with a 3-2 overtime win against the Huskies. Blair was an alternate captain of the River Hawks in 2010-2011 and was the Gus Coutu Award recipient in 2011, given annually to the most spirited player on the River Hawk Hockey team. He was also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) while at UMass Lowell.

He graduated from UMass Lowell in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences with a concentration in Psychology and Sociology.

He is a Level 4 USA Hockey certified coach and is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). 
 
After graduation Blair played in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) for three seasons with the Orlando Solar Bears, Reading Royals, Toledo Walleye, Wheeling Nailers and the Cincinnati Cyclones. He served as an alternate captain with the Solar Bears in 2013. 
 
He replaces Troy Thibodeau in the position, who took an assistant coaching in the USHL. Dan Darrow (San Jose Sharks) and Sean Flanagan (Cornell University) held the title prior to Thibodeau.

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